Eastern Connecticut State University

Forty-eight students majoring in communication at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the Tau Nu Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta on April 7 at 4 p.m. in Eastern's Student Center Theatre. The society recognizes students who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, have a communication studies GPA of at least 3.25, are in the upper 35 percent of their graduating class, are enrolled in good standing and display a commitment to the field of communication. The following students were among the inductees:

Two Eastern Connecticut State University students along with an Eastern professor and a local community member were recipients of the 2011 Ella T. Grasso Distinguished Service Awards on March 30 at a ceremony in the J. Eugene Smith Library.

Sixteen biology majors at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the TriBeta Honor Society on April 8 at 2:30 in Eastern's Science Building. The society Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. The following students were among the inductees:

Sixteen Eastern Connecticut State University students from the American Marketing Association (AMA) helped Eastern walk away with six awards at the 33rd Annual International Collegiate Conference held in New Orleans, LA, March 24-26. The Eastern contingent received a trophy for being one of the top AMA chapters, winning a silver award while competing with more than 300 chapters internationally. "This is an incredible accomplishment," said chapter advisor and Marketing Professor Katalin Eibel-Spanyi. "Our students excelled in chapter planning, professional development, membership building, community services and communications."

Students from Eastern Connecticut State University's Performing Arts Department performed shorts from the Phoenix New Play Series on March 12. This year's new play consisted of three short plays.

June Bisantz, professor of digital art and design at Eastern Connecticut State University, and Harrison Judd, photographer and digital archivist to Maurice Sendak, produced "The Screen Project," Connecticut's first Urban Screens event, on Feb. 11-21. The event was held at five locations on Main Street in Willimantic. The ECSU Design Group, a team of 10 student artists from Eastern Connecticut State University's Digital Art and Design program who designed promotional materials and billboards for the event, also exhibited.

A team of Eastern Connecticut State University students have been named winners of the Best Student Documentary Short in the national Broadcast Educators Association Annual Media Festival Awards for 2011. The awards will be presented in Las Vegas in April.

Eastern Connecticut State University theatre students and their productions were recognized at the annual Region I Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), held at Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, MA, from Jan. 25-30.

On Feb. 10, students in Eastern Connecticut State University's Theatre Department performed "Fab Fables," the culminating project of the fall 2010 Children's Theatre class, which was taught by Ellen Faith Brodie, professor and director of theatre. "Fab Fables" included two short plays that focused on American tales and magical themes. The short play entertained audience members with 18th-century Connecticut folklore. The other featured short play, "Wiley and The Hairy Man," took audiences deep into Louisiana.

Local Eastern Connecticut State University students recently participated in the Drama Society production of "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" on March 18 and 19.

Eastern Connecticut State University recently announced the list of dean's list students for the fall 2010 semester. The following students were named to the dean's list and are enrolled as part-time students:

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released the list of students who achieved dean's list for the fall 2010 semester. The following students were named to the dean's list:

Eastern Connecticut State University ranked sixth at the MAA Collegiate Mathematics Competition which was held on November 19 at Providence College in Providence, RI. Nineteen teams from colleges throughout New England participated in the event.

On Dec. 8 students from Eastern Connecticut State University and local community members raised more than $500 during "This Too Shall Pass," Eastern's second Help for Haiti Benefit Concert. Eastern's Center for Community Engagement and the Office of Housing and Residential Life sponsored the event.

On Nov. 30, more than 250 students participated in a Sustainable Energy Symposium at Eastern Connecticut State University. Students presented their research results using posters, PowerPoint presentations, pamphlets, videos, and, in one case, as a musical performance. Topics ranged from analysis of environmental problems to the use of wind power, energy conservation, and renewable energy to reducing consumption of fossil fuels.

Members of Eastern Connecticut State University's community engagement student group, People Helping People (PHP), hosted an event to show their support for U.S. troops stationed in Iraq on Dec. 10 at Sweeney Elementary School in Willimantic.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Performing Arts Department and Drama Society presented the Freshman Showcase on Dec. 4 in the Harry Hope Theatre.

Six Eastern Connecticut State University students from the Health and Physical Education Department placed first in the Connecticut Chapter of the Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CTAHPERD) College Bowl on Nov. 19. The Eastern team fended off challengers from Central Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University and Western Connecticut State University.

On Dec. 5, Eastern Connecticut State University's Percussion Ensemble performed a collection of percussion pieces in Shafer Auditorium.

On Nov. 21, students from Eastern Connecticut State University's Jazz Ensemble performed "An Evening of Jazz." Joe Tomanelli, adjunct professor in the Performing Arts Department, directed the performance in collaboration with Anthony Cornicello, assistant chair of the Performing Arts Department.

Five Eastern Connecticut State University business and accounting students were honored by the Willimantic-based Access Community Action Agency at its annual meeting on Oct. 26. President/CEO Peter DeBiasi and Mary DeMarco, chairperson of the Access Board of Directors, presented the awards. Students from the local area include:

Wooden Vehicles and Traffic Signs, a basic toy created by Wilton, CT-based Melissa and Doug, LLC, has been named the 2010 best Toy to Inspire Mindful Play and Nurture Imagination (TIMPANI). The research results of the 2010 TIMPANI Toy Study were announced on Wednesday, Nov. 17, by faculty and student researchers at Eastern Connecticut State University's Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE).